Sorrento East – Potential For Apartments?
As noted back in July, Regent Properties has proposed to increase the number of units planned for Sorrento East from 694 to 900. The puzzle over the past few months has been how Regent will be able to increase the number of units at Sorrento East by nearly 30% while at the same time having more detached homes, set-backs, and wider driveways for the cluster homes than the related project at Sorrento West. After much head-scratching and number crunching, the missing piece to the puzzle is likely to be that Regent will be building apartment homes to add the additional units at Sorrento East. These apartment homes could be similar to the Tivoli condominium homes that had been initially planned in Sorrento East, when Toll Brothers still had the option to build.
While the details of the Sorrento East community are still being worked out (and will require approval by the Planning Commission and City Council), the final design is certain to be incredibly beautiful. Please check out this post for more details about the park and school planned for this site.
UPDATE – the developer would like to build an apartment complex to the south of the proposed park and Kolb Elementary School at Sorrento East. This would be closer to the Central Parkway side of the project. At this point, everything is still in the discussion phase and plans have not been formally submitted by the developer.
11:33 PM on October 11th, 2008
This is just great, more BMRs coming into our neighborhood and less parking available. Does Dublin have the infrastructure to support more apartment type units–no!
11:52 PM on October 11th, 2008
Another step in the wrong direction! We’ve become the apartment community of the Tri-Valley. What happened to homeownership, the ability to grow within a community for a lifetime and for generation to generation. Apartments and Condo does not lend to this. People will be transient, on the way up to something bigger and better that Dublin does not provide. A sad day for Dublin!
12:16 AM on October 12th, 2008
Why are we so strict on commercial developments when it comes to density but when it comes to residential we say stack’em as high and dense as you like Mr. developer.
Example: We limit the amount of restaurant space that Blake Hunt can build at the Green at Park Place due to parking contraints. At the same time we allow Dublin Ranch Villages to be built and continue to approve more of the same. Our we that ignorant?
4:32 AM on October 12th, 2008
The planning board is creating another Antioch and shit hole.. sorry but do any of these people live here.. probaly not and Dublin is going to get what they asked for.. alot more crime an traffic. The common streets will look like 580 soon.. TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC AND GANG BANGERS LOOKING OF A PLACE THEY CAN LIVE AND SELL DRUGS AND GET ON BART… GOOD JOB DUBLIN.. YOUR CREATING A SHIT HOLE… BUILD SOME HIGH RISES AND PUT APTS IN THEM.. MAYBE 30 STORIES HIGH… GET EVERYONE IN OAKLAND AND CONTRA COSTA TO MOVE HEAR INSTEAD OF FAMILIES. YOU MAKE ME SICK AND I THOUGH DUBLIN WAS THE NEXT BLACKHAWK BUT YOUR SELLING YOUR SOLES TO THESE BUILDERS.. I HOPE THE CRIME THAT COMES WITH THIS APT CRAP COMES BACK TO HAUNT YOU ALL ON THE BOARD.. YOU SOLD OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO LIVE IN A GREAT FAMILY COMMUNITY..THERE ENOUGH APTS AROUND PLESANTON AND LIVERMORE .. WE NEED BUSINESS AND SINGLE FAMILY HOMES YOU MORONES..
2:13 PM on October 12th, 2008
Can someone on the Board comment on why this type of development benefits the community? Sure it increases the population and I suppose there’s an argument that poplulation+ = business+ = tax+ but there seems to be a serious downside. Wasn’t it not too long ago that there was a prostitution ring bust at the Oakwood apartments across the street from Dougherty? There’s clearly been a negative trend in the population mix since the housing downturn, especially because of the increasing number of renters (both for new apartments and existing homes). Why is the city lending a hand in furthering that trend? Is the city that desperate to have vacant land built out? I know the topic has been beaten to death but with my kids in 2nd and 4th grade now, I’m seriously considering other cities as viable housing options in the next 3-4 years. I wish we didn’t have to. Ms. Lockhart and Council members, it’s time to step up and lead. We’re all running out of patience and optimism.
3:52 PM on October 12th, 2008
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your comment. I highly recommend your contacting our elected officials directly. Based on my own interactions with Vice Mayor Sbranti and Councilwoman Scholz, I can say that they are very responsive when their constituents reach out to them. Please give them a chance to explain their positions. Also, please consider joining the Around Dublin FaceBook Group that I had set up for our readers. Thank you again for your continued support.
http://www.ci.dublin.ca.us/DepartmentSub.cfm?PL=gov&SL=maycc
Sincerely,
Jimmy
11:31 PM on October 12th, 2008
What can be done to stop the increase in apartment and BMR units. How many BMR units are there in Dublin and how many are West of Dougherty vs West.
Why does the city want to look at 10 stories in east Dublin? Would they ever consider a plan like this at the “west” Dublin BART station?
Which of our city council candidates wil stand up for Dublin?
11:01 AM on October 13th, 2008
Chalk another one up for developers. They are pitching a shutout vs Dublin Residents. Losers are, Dublin Residents, Dublin Schools (1 High School), Dublin Blvd. (1200 plus students driving that road to West Dublin H.S.), Growing Dublin Families (nowhere to move to), Condo Owners (thousands more to come, wait at least 12-15 years before seeing any appreciation, forget moving up as there is no equity in your unit, just put it up for rent so your Condo community can become a Rental Condo Community since you can’t sell “Dublin Ranch Villages Apartments” it becomes).
Makes me wonder who these City Councils, Planning Commissioners, Mayor is representing? Maybe add them to the winner side with the Developers.
2:48 PM on October 14th, 2008
No matter how beatiful it is, still Apartment/Condo buildings. They are all in the same no matter how much makeup you put on it. They are still massive buildings that has no place being proposed where they are and even the possibility that the city will approve it is apalling. Shame on all!!
The City touts a variety of housing, pushes developers to give the city different products. Well do exactly that and not build hundres more Condos/Apartments/Cluster Homes and build what we have very little of. Executive Homes with yards for families to grow in.
Having an abundance of parks is nice. But are you going to move a party of 10 over at your place for a BBQ to the park? Not realistic, also you would have to camp out a 8 AM to insure you got a spot under the shade. How about for a Super Bowl Party, how are you going to get a TV Screen to the Park to host 10 of your buddies or family members for such a party? How about for a small Bday party for you child? Would it be easier, less intensive to have a yard large enough to host such instead of lugging 1000 pounds of equipment to the park?
2:54 PM on October 14th, 2008
Ditto.
2:56 PM on October 14th, 2008
John,
I know you don’t want to use this blog as a political tool or vehicle. I do hope that you see all the comments and take it into consideration and put action behind words to reverse this trend. I know it would be tough as you would be the minority amongts our Developer/Large Apartment Project happy Council and Mayor.
This is a crucial time for Dublin as we are running out of developable land. In 5-10 years this discussion would be a mute point and we are built out or very close to it. Are we going to be Dublin, San Ramon, Danville, Pleasanton, Livermore, Walnut Creek or or we going to be Dublin, Antioch, Hayward, East P.A., El Cerrito, Richmond? No offense to these towns but I’m sure our residents would prefer the first group.
7:35 PM on October 14th, 2008
Hi Mikey – as you note, I don’t like to use this blog as a political tool. However, it is a great vehicle for allowing residents to express their concerns and voice suggestions/feedback for Dublin’s leaders. I will definitely take all of these comments into account if/when I get a chance to serve.
Thx, John Z.
1:44 PM on October 17th, 2008
i think this is a bad idea and had i known that this is the direction Dublin is going, i wouldn’t have moved to Dublin at the beginning of this year. this will drag down the home values across East Dublin and i’m very disappointed that this is the direction it’s going.
john, if you are elected, i seriously hope that you will listen to the comments as posted here. i think like Mikey said above, these topics are critical in keeping Dublin as an attractive place to live. if i knew Dublin was even considering this last year, i would have moved to San Ramon or Danville instead.
1:56 PM on October 17th, 2008
Like the other readers above, I hope you will have the courage to stand up to the developers on your neighbors’ behalf. You have my family’s vote as well as my next-door neighbor’s, and we still believe it is not too late for East Dublin. Please don’t disappoint us.
3:02 PM on October 17th, 2008
I urge everyone on this blog to email each and every member of the City Council, Mayor and Planning Commision to express your feelings about Sorrento East being yet another apartment community. The Citizens were loud and clear on opposing the first Grafton Plaza proposal at 21 stories, it worked. Otherwise our Council and Planning Commission would have rolled over like they’ve done many times before for developers. Urge them to keep the density where it is or even reduce it, absolutely no increase. We need to be as loud regarding Sorrento East and maybe throw in Wallis Ranch too where even more High Density is planned. It is beyond me why it is even being considered or allowed to be talked about.
If we are as loud about Sorrento East they would have to listen. Regent’s first foray into Dublin, what a way for them to win friends. Like one reader said, they must of gotten a sweat deal from Toll Brothers, wasn’t that enough? Now they want to squeeze even more profits out of the parcel instead of giving something back to the community.
3:14 PM on October 17th, 2008
One more, also email Regent Homes to express your absolute opposition to their proposal. They are committing a public relations suicide if they are to push this apartment project on us. They will not be welcomed here.
4:39 PM on October 17th, 2008
Where should we send our mail/email to Regent?
7:35 PM on October 17th, 2008
Hi Anonymous – here is Regent’s contact info:
11990 San Vincente Blvd., #200
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(925) 570-3671
Contact: James Kern
4:16 PM on October 19th, 2008
This is a very serious matter and I did not know anything about it before.
John, can you put up a weekly poll on this? I think our voting result will wake up the Dublin city leadership.
Absolutely NO NO NO for such an absurd proposal!
4:29 PM on October 19th, 2008
Hi Anonymous – that’s a great idea. We’ll put up a poll for this either this week or next.
Thx, John Z.
4:44 PM on October 19th, 2008
As informative as our beloved blog has been, it is absolutely no substitute for showing up in front of City Council and cornering our elected and appointed officials in person. If you feel this strongly about not having another apartment in Sorrento East, it is time for you to step up and engage the people currently in charge. If you think our poll results has any sway, I got a 21-story Grafton Tower to sell you.
10:42 PM on October 19th, 2008
Ditto, we need to engage our supposedly representatives both by emails, phone calls, letters and in person. Let them hear loud and clear of how strongly we feel.
11:52 AM on October 20th, 2008
I agree, we need to take our gripes beyond this blog. To our neighbors, families, friends and take it to our City Leaders in numbers. We need to be heard by the right people who were elected to serve us.
It is not too late to turn the tide of High Density at Wallis and Sorrento East.
3:28 PM on October 24th, 2008
Selling their soles? You want them to keep their shoes?
Selfish elitists.
10:35 AM on December 19th, 2008
Its best to stop this housing projects in dublin, for now. Because, too many
houses currently have brought this great city down. Dublin is the central to all of bay area.
Say, No to housing expansion in dublin.
10:54 AM on December 19th, 2008
I think you are a little late. You may want to look at all the approved projects already in the pipeline.
Jordan
4:35 PM on December 22nd, 2008
As an architect, I belief that high density does not mean high crime. Especially, I was borne in the most populous city (Hong Kong) However, high density has to be supported by an efficient mass transit system, which Dublin does not have. Only providing more bus lines will not solve the problems, since it tooks too long to get to work. Unless, Dublin can grow more high pay jobs within the city.
Also, some high density developement like Camalia apartment by the Bart is fully reservsed for low income group. I do not think it is good idea. It does not mean I am agaisnt the inclusionary law. As I know, the inclusionary law madate any new housing developement to have 12.5% of total unit for low income people. By concregating all the low income people in one building, that is the real problem of creating crime. I don’t know how the developer would be able to get around it. I do not agree that the City has been approving lots of residential projects without securing the business development for job growth. One more thing to add, building all these big box shopping centers would be viable unless there is a strong job base.
I am not sure that our population and job projection will be able to support it. I really think the city official will need to study thorough before making all these decision.
7:20 PM on December 22nd, 2008
I agree, high density is not all bad. It they were built in the right places where there is massing of jobs, retail and mass transit. Dublin does not have any of these components congregated in any part of town. They are scattered, car oriented which does not complement High Density Housing. It does bring in the young and energy to a sleepy town. I does not correlate to higher crime, but does have the potential for it.
I agree about Camelia Place, not to forget the Groves is the same. With Phase II yet to be built.
We need to balance the high density housing which we’ve done a lot of already with low density housing (higher income levels and families), small scale retail and high paying jobs.
We still have an opportunity to become a first class balanced city like Irvine, CA. Our leaders need to look at every project more closely now as we near buildout to insure we have a healthy balance. Not too heavily reliant on one product (high density housing and discount big box).
8:27 AM on April 29th, 2009
We have a very similiar situation that Paul Teas has gone through (please read his previous blogs). Long story short, we purchased a Toll Brothers town home in Dulblin Ranch Villas back in March 2005. It was delievered in March 2006. However, after living in the unit for 3 months we found our it was infested with mold as well as the other 21 units. We were all put in a hotel for 7 LONG months. After 7 long and brutal months we had reached a settlement with Toll Brothers that we would keep our townhome and purchase a new town home in Sorrento as part of a lawsuit settlement. They prequalifired us with their own lender (TBI mortage) so we agreed to the settlement. Throughout the years we have continued to be prequalified. It has taken 3 years for them to complete the construction and now they have decided not to give us the loan at the time when we need it the most. Not only have they not given us the loan, but now with the economic climit we cannot obtain a loan through another bank. They are refussing to give us our deposit and portion of lawsuit settlement which is approximately $69,000.
They also were fraudulent in telling us that we were prequalifed though Toll which allowed us to obtain upgrade credits. Therefore, we added additional upgrades to our unit. However, now they will not give us any money back after enticing us to add additional monies to our deposit.
If this sounds like a company you want to deal with…be our guest! But after two HORRIFIC experiences….we are DONE with TOLL BROTHERS and advise people to go elsewhere! Their quality and personnel service is TOTALLY UNETHICAL!
Please contact us with any information you may have, questions, or advise!
You will be seeing us picketing infront of the sales offices in the coming weeks!